India consistently ranks among the top 10 largest Asian source markets, with the highest number of tourists coming to Vietnam. In December 2023, there were 39,915 Indian visitors to Vietnam.
According to Google Trends data, Vietnam was the most searched destination for Indians in 2023, surpassing popular European destinations like Italy and Switzerland.
Among Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia are the most popular choices for Indian travelers.
| An Indian traveler explores the handmade bamboo and rattan products at a shop in Hanoi. Photo: Ricky Lawson |
Hoang Phuong, Director of Sales and Marketing at Joymark Travel JSC, believes that one of Vietnam’s biggest advantages over other destinations in the region is the 10-15% lower cost of local services without compromising quality.
Vietjet Air’s launch of direct routes between Vietnam and India has also increased travel demand for South Asian countries. Vishal Suri, Managing Director of SOTC Travel, mentioned that there were no direct flights from India to Vietnam before 2019, but now there is better connectivity between the two countries.
Annually, around 25 million Indians travel abroad, and this number is expected to reach 50 million in the near future. Vietnam is a significant market for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
The number of international visitors to Vietnam has been steadily increasing, especially in the last three months of 2023, according to statistics from the Vietnam National Tourism Authority.
| Indian tourists enjoy the cool weather atop Ba Na Hill in Danang. Photo: Kunal Jogani |
Telegraph India has pointed out that Vietnam’s delicious food, stunning natural landscapes, numerous heritage sites, and reasonable prices are attracting many Indian tourists.
Skyscanner, a global travel marketplace, analyzed prices in various destinations worldwide and named Nha Trang in Vietnam as the cheapest city for Indians to stay in a three-star hotel.
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Indian tourists have specific needs related to religious beliefs, eating habits, and others. Photo: Ramarathinam Venkatesan |
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There are multiple flights connecting major Indian cities with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making Vietnam a convenient choice for getaways.
In March 2023, more than 20 Indian travel companies, as well as news, media, and promotional agencies, visited and surveyed services in Danang, Hoi An, and Hue, demonstrating their interest in these destinations.
| An Indian tourist enjoys kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Kunal Jogani |
According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the number of Indian arrivals in 2023 exceeded 390,000, ranking 9th among the top 10 markets with the highest number of visitors to Vietnam. The average growth rate was 45% per month.
After a two-week press tour, Vipin Nain, Managing Director of Nain Vacations Private Limited, described Danang as an outstanding destination in Asia with clean riverscapes and seascapes, professional tourism practices, and the Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture.
In the same month, the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province and the Embassy of India in Vietnam organized a conference to promote investment cooperation between India and Vietnam’s central provinces.
During the conference, Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, mentioned that Indian tourists love to explore the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang, as well as neighboring provinces like Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Ninh Thuan.
| Indian tourists love to explore the beautiful beach cities of Danang and Nha Trang and the neighboring provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan. Photo: Saumya Semwal Nautiyal |
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Saurabh Sanyal, former Secretary General of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam, commented on the potential tourism cooperation between Vietnam and India, emphasizing the long-standing harmonious relationship between the two countries.
The challenge lies in catering to the specific needs of Indian travelers, such as religious beliefs and eating habits. Vietnam’s tourism sector needs to conduct market segment research, gain a deeper understanding of Indian culture and customs, and develop products that meet the preferences and requirements of Indian customers.
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